And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth nor any green thing nor any tree: but only the men who have not the sign of God on their foreheads.
και ερρεθη αυταις ινα μη αδικησωσιν τον χορτον της γης ουδε παν χλωρον ουδε παν δενδρον ει μη τους ανθρωπους οιτινες ουκ εχουσιν την σφραγιδα του θεου επι των μετωπων αυτων
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
That the spiritual locusts wound men like scorpions points to the spiritual death hidden at the end of evil deeds. All are subject to this death who are not marked on their faces with the divine seal.
They have not been enlightened through the Holy Spirit by the light of the Life-giving Cross, so that their light, according to the Master's word, might shine before men (Mt 5:16) to the glory of the divine name.
By the grass of the earth are meant the lesser ones, who are nourished by the Christian milk of faith. By green growth are meant those who are beginning to cultivate within themselves the living shoot of virtues, whose fruit will not wither but will be abundant. The trees depict those members of the Church who have already borne spiritual fruit. Of the first it is said: "Who established the earth above the waters" (Ps 135:6), that is, the waters of baptism. Of the second: "Thou wilt rejoice in the drops of Thy rain when they go forth" (Ps 64:11). Of the third: "But I am like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God" (Ps 51:10). From all of them is composed that multitude of the elect whom the locusts are forbidden to harm, except those who do not have the sign of God on their forehead.
For according to the apostle's word, "faith is not in all" (2 Thess 3:2). It is said that they darkened the sun, but did not extinguish it. Because of the abundance of iniquities, love may grow cold in many (cf. Mt 24:12). Yet, as it is written, "the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows His own,' and, 'Let everyone who confesses the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness'" (2 Tim 2:19).
From the smoke of scientific and technological progress, which darkens the sun and air to the point of ecological catastrophe, there comes forth a new ideology of technology, like the old Tower of Babel forgotten and then remembered again. It spreads across the whole maddened planet by means of the militant noise and clamor of the mass media. It exercises harmful dominion over the minds and hearts of men for a definite time, five months. This time is needed to prepare a generation incapable of being corrected or repenting from the coming admonitions. At the same time, its destructive nature is evident to all: to believers who speak the language of the knowledge of God, and to pagans who chiefly use the language of Hellenic wisdom.
The locusts were commanded not to harm the earth or the grass, but only those people who do not possess signs of the spirit's dominion over the flesh. These people cannot withstand its false seductiveness, universal diffusion, and powerful influence. This contagious disease can pass by only those who avoid every influence of the spirit of this age upon their soul. According to Andrew of Caesarea, the locusts depict the evil demons prepared for battle against us. Their golden crowns indicate their victories over us. Their hair like women's hair speaks of demonic sensuality. Their lions' teeth speak of ferocity and a disposition toward murder. Their iron breastplates show hardheartedness. Their scorpion tails reveal the poisonousness of sin. The king of the locusts is the devil. The five months are the five senses through which the demons act upon man.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 30 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS